BIG Slam Fest announces line-up for 2018

Though Calgary, AB is known for the Stampede during the month of July. There is one festival making waves (literarily and figuratively). BIG Slam Fest is back for its second year. BIG Winter Classic and Alberta River Surfing Association are teaming up on July 14th to bring BIG Slam back.

BIG Slam promises to have jams, sunshine, and surf & skate. Originally kicking off in 2017, BIG Slam took over a rooftop patio and brought yoga, a game of S.K.A.T.E, and four bands to Calgary. This year is bigger and better, taking over the Brewery Flats of Inglewood, the fest is welcoming 8 amazing bands. For the sports fans a day of skate, surf, and bike polo.

This year’s bands include Bearings, Sellout, Living with Lions, Bad Animal, Whitey Houston, Little Destroyer, Seaway, and Lagwagon. With tons of artists, it will feel like your back with the classic 90s surf and skate culture.

Bearings, based out of Ottawa, will bring their fast-paced pop-punk stylings to kick off the day. Bringing in a 90s skate and surf vibe will have everyone bobbing along to the band.

Sellout hailing from Calgary is next! What more than a female fronted band could you ask for? With members hailing from various local Calgary bands, Sellout brings a fresh taste to the punk rock scene with old flavours.

Living with Lions from Vancouver is one of my personal favourites on the line-up this year. Living with Lions has brought in members from various groups in the past and have been cranking out their tunes since 2007.

Bad Animal from Calgary have been playing shows on and off for years around the country. Alongside numerous of the bands on the list, this band has also had the opportunity to open for bands such as The Used and Blink 182. With their infectious stage energy, the band always keeps everything and everyone moving.

Whitey Houston from Edmonton is influenced by bands such as AC/DC. Whitey Houston is another of those classic rock & roll bands that mesh well with the surf and skate competitions and will have everyone rocking out to a good time.

Little Destroyer from Vancouver is a 3-piece band that has appeared on various line-ups through Calgary, including Sled Island. Though one of the more chilled-out bands on the lineup, their performance will likely be the perfect time to kick back and relax before the bangers come out.

Seaway from Oakville, like many of the bands on the line-up, has been on our radar and toured the country numerous times. So grab a pint, some friends and check out Seaway. Get ready for the headliner.

Lagwagon from Santa Barbara, California. May 16th is Lagwagon Day, a day to celebrate one of the greatest punk-rock bands. Fast forward 2 months later to the festival, this band is bound to have everyone jumping to a good time.

Not into sports? There will also be craft beer, and tons of friends to meet. Tickets are currently on sale. If you need to get away from the fiasco that is the Calgary Stampede and jam out to some punk rock, and surf & skate stylings, check out the official event page.